A mandala is a symbol that translates literally to “center and its surroundings.”
It is a physical representation of interdependence and interconnectedness in all of
life. Created as a tool for visualization and meditation, every detail of a mandala—the
design, the colors, and placement of symbols—is deliberate and holds layers of meaning.
After creating the mandala with intense concentration, the final grains of sand are
placed and then the entire sand painting is swept up in a final display of impermanence.

Highly respected Tibetan Buddhist monks Geshe Lobsang Dorji and Geshe Lobsang Cholphal
from the Sera Jey Foundation will create the sand mandala of the Compassion Buddha
in the gracious lobby of Stanford’s Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center. The venerable
monks will carefully place millions of grains of colored sand on a flat surface, following
precise and ancient instructions passed down over thousands of years. The creation
of this mandala is intended to help the viewer generate compassion for all beings.

The mandala will be created from November 3 through November 8, beginning with
an opening ceremony on Saturday, November 3 from 10:00-10:30am and ending with a closing
ceremony on Thursday, November 8 from 4:00-4:30pm.

On Sunday, November 4 from 3:00-4:00pm Jhado Rinpoche will give a talk on the tradition
of the sand mandala with a focus on the mandala for the Compassion Buddha.

As the final part of the closing ceremony, the monks will provide small bags of
the mandala sand to give away to those in attendance. The sand is considered blessed.
If any sand is left, it will be placed in a small urn and then taken to the ocean
and spread in the water to bless the oceans and their creatures.

This Contemplation By Design Summit session is presented in partnership with the
Sera Jey Foundation and hosted by the Stanford Alumni Association.

The public is invited to watch the monks create the mandala in the Stanford Alumni
Center Lobby from Saturday, November 3rd through Thursday, November 8th. The schedule
is:

Please note: While the mandala will be on view during the above hours, the monks
take occasional breaks during the day including an extended lunch break from approximately
1:00-2:00pm. In addition, every day will begin and end with a puja (blessing) which
will last approximately 10 minutes. The public is welcome to participate in the puja.
A puja includes prayer and meditation intended to help bring to mind the qualities
of the Buddha of Compassion. During the puja practice the mandala artists generate
compassion and the intention to benefit others.

***Registration is required for the free talk on Sunday, 11/4 and the opening and
closing ceremonies on Saturday, 11/3 and Thursday, 11/8 due to space limitations.
TO REGISTER: Please search using the words ”Compassion Buddha Sand Mandala” on the
Health Improvement Program registration page. All other viewing times do not require
registration.

When:

Ongoing every day from November 5, 2018 through November 8, 2018.10:00 am – 5:00 pm